In the Zone: Three's company for Barnstable's Lambert triplets

From the moment they were born – each within a few minutes of the other on July 29, 1996 – the Lambert brothers haven't spent much time apart

By JEN McCAFFREY

capecodtimes.com

By JEN McCAFFREY

Posted May. 8, 2014 at 4:20 PM
Updated May 8, 2014 at 4:27 PM

By JEN McCAFFREY

Posted May. 8, 2014 at 4:20 PM
Updated May 8, 2014 at 4:27 PM

» Social News

HYANNIS – From the moment they were born – each within a few minutes of the other on July 29, 1996 – the Lambert brothers haven't spent much time apart.

And that doesn't figure to change any time soon.

For the past four years, triplets Matthew, Drew and Max have played football, ice hockey and lacrosse together at Barnstable High School, while their mom, Lyn Lambert, was driving the team buses for all three sports. The boys are graduating next month.

In the fall, the trio will attend Bridgton Academy, about an hour northwest of Portland, Maine, for a postgraduate year before college.

“I tear up just thinking about them leaving,” said their mother. “They're a big part of my world, my pride and joy. We have (an older daughter) Jazzy in college, but it was different went she left because we still had three at home. We're going to be empty-nesters all at once.”

Like most parents with high schoolers, the past 18 years have been a whirlwind of homework, meetings, practices, games, birthday parties and backyard ball games. The Lamberts have had all that three times over.

In addition to raising triplet sons, along with their daughter Jazzmyn, who's two years older than the boys, Matthew Sr. and Lyn Lambert also own Lambert's Rainbow Fruit on West Main Street in Centerville. The family spends a lot of time together, and they like it that way.

The Lamberts were the first set of triplets ever born at Cape Cod Hospital, according to hospital records. (Other triplets who live on the Cape were born in Boston). Matt was the oldest by a few minutes, followed by identical twins Drew and Max.

When the boys were 5 years old, Lyn got a job as a bus driver in the Barnstable school system and the kids would ride with her through her routes before their own school day. After school at Hyannis West Elementary, they'd finish off her route, change in the bus yard for youth football and head to practice.

“I think they put in more hours in a day than most adults do,” said Lyn Lambert.

Football was always the focus and the boys were raised in the Silver Bullets program, hoping to one day play as Red Raiders for Barnstable High. They participated in other sports, too.

Soon they learned to skate at the Kennedy Rink in Hyannis. Lyn recalled it only cost about 50 cents per kid to spend all day and soon they joined Barnstable youth hockey teams.

Not surprisingly, competition growing up was fierce, but there were benefits to having a small team as your family.

“We all got each other better and it was fun to practice with someone else instead of just by yourself,” said Matt.

When high school rolled around, all three boys made the freshman football team. With Jazzmyn playing field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse, Lyn was able to rework her bus driving schedule and do the team trips so she wouldn't miss their games.

Her husband hardly missed a game, and Lyn's parents, Gail and Barry Fernandes, who played a pivotal role in helping raise the boys, became ardent Raider fans as well.

When the triplets were juniors, Barnstable upset football powerhouse Everett on the road en route to making it to the Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Their mom was along for the ride, literally.

“When we beat Everett for the first time in the pouring rain (in 2012), I was part of that and it's priceless to me,” she said. “You see their friends, the tears, the highs, you get to experience all of it, not just what they share, because you're driving the bus. It's wonderful and I think they appreciate it.”

So much so that when Lyn was considering applying for a softball coach opening at the high school this spring, her sons protested.

“It was wonderful and flattering. You don't realize your kids like you there, even if it might not be cool. It was a nice moment.”

Playing three sports for four years at Barnstable, the Lambert boys have been part of impressive teams. Along with making it to the Super Bowl in football, the hockey team reached the Div. 1 South finals this past winter and the lacrosse team has been in the tournament.

Chris Whidden, Barnstable's football and lacrosse coach, also has had the Lamberts as students in physical education and health classes.

The number of occasions he mixes up their names has become few and far between.

“He's been pretty good, but he has his off days,” said Drew.

“I hope it comes off how proud I am to have kids like that represent a product I'm such a big part of,” said Whidden. “It definitely gives a whole lot of people a sense of pride having kids like them represent your program and community.”

Max won the football team's sportsmanship award last fall for his hard work and dedication, despite not getting much varsity playing time.

“His role this year was always the next guy,” said Whidden. “Between Derek Estes and Colby Blaze, we had two of the best cornerbacks I've coached here. Drew played safety and Max was good enough to start for about any other team in the league and just about any other team I've coached.”

Max finally got his chance in the Div. 2 South playoffs against Natick when Barnstable needed depth to defend against a high-powered offense led by Troy Flutie, the state's all-time leader in touchdown passes. The Red Raiders won the game, allowing just 13 points.

“All that preparation and not having a sour attitude paid off for (Max) and he played great,” said Whidden.

Drew's passion is hockey and he came through on the biggest stage for a talented team this past season. His game-tying goal against Norwood in the Div. 1 South semifinals sent the Raiders into overtime, where they eventually won and advanced to the finals for the first time since 1994.

Matt, meanwhile, was voted a lacrosse co-captain by his teammates this season. He scored at least one goal in nine of the first 10 games and the Raiders are closing in on clinching another postseason berth.

Soon their high school careers will be over, but all three plan to play hockey at Bridgton Academy. Matt also hopes to play lacrosse while Max wants to play football, too.

The decision to take a post-graduate year before college makes sense. They won't turn 18 until July 29 and have always been young for their grade. The extra year will help them academically and socially. Their father and uncle both attended Bridgton.

The triplets won't be allowed to room together, like they have for the past 17-plus years. The boys haven't put much consideration into that, but of course it's a concern for mom.

“My boys drive to school together, drive home together, eat dinner together,” she said. “I think it'll be a natural step in having them still keep their bond, but mature to the fact they can be together, but be separate,” said Lyn.

All three are planning to attend four-year colleges after Bridgton. Drew wants to continue playing hockey and Matt is hoping for a lacrosse scholarship. Max would love to keep playing football and is also interested in pursuing a career in sneaker design.

The brothers admit they haven't thought too far ahead to what life will be like away from home, but for Lyn and Matthew Sr., they're expecting to have a lot more time on their hands.

“I asked for the bus driving job (at Bridgton),” Lyn quipped. “It was just a joke, but after their (entrance) interview they came out and said, 'By the way, your mom will drive the hockey team bus.' The boys were horrified!”

Lyn still plans to drive Barnstable team buses, but Friday nights, especially in the fall, won't be the same.

“I'm just so proud and I'm going to miss them,” she said. “Hopefully they don't give me any business when they get home from Bridgton. Give them a little independence, then they might start.”